MEETING AT STACKPOLE CENTRE, TUESDAY 9TH JULY 2019. Those present Andie Torkington, Rosie & Ben Manning. Opening introductions, outline for being here and what we hope to gain from this meeting. Questions for the NT and others present (where appropriate) with regards to the current planning application: Idea generation & Consultation: 1. Why did your original stakeholder analysis, to identify the key and wider stakeholders, not include a representative voice for the general public? In 2018 we established the Freshwater West steering group due to the growing visitor numbers and increased pressure on the facilities, infrastructure and landscape. The steering group includes a range of local representatives from public, private and charitable sectors: • The landowners – National Trust, Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority • Other relevant authorities – Ministry of Defence Castlemartin Firing Range, Dyfed Powys Police, Natural Resources Wales • Key organisations and local businesses - RNLI, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company and Outer Reef Surf School 2. How was data gathered during your environmental impact survey? Most specifically with regards to: • frequency and timing of activity giving rise to an issue of concern. • Assessment of ecological impact. • Nature of impact: short/medium/long term together with ecological response. • Percentage of users responsible for impact. • Identification of origin of users. Is this data publicly accessible? Overall, how did the results of this data analysis link the environmental damage to overnight parking? Freshwater West is a multi-owner site (National Trust, Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority) and a legally protected conservation area (Site of Special Scientific Interest). Our steering group includes representatives from a range of public, private and charitable organisations, professionals in conservation, coastal management, highways, visitor experience and public safety. We are all agreed that Freshwater West has reached capacity and that the facilities (toilets and car park) and other services cannot cope with the increase in visitors. We have a ranger presence at Freshwater West on a daily basis, with the team monitoring the situation. Our biggest source of complaints on the Stackpole Estate (encompassing Freshwater West) is from locals, local businesses and holidaymakers regarding the parking situation, the increase in overnight parking and camping, litter, fires and other waste. Trialling the enforcement option is a targeted action to keep Freshwater West accessible and safe for all visitors. By enforcing the car parking restrictions, we are improving access for the majority of people who want to come and enjoy Freshwater West as day visitors. An environmental impact survey has not been completed as the overnight enforcement trial relates specifically to the National Trust car parks. We are committed to conserving Freshwater West for the future and will continue to work to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable and safe experience, whilst also safeguarding the landscape. 3. How were the questions in the visitor survey determined? The survey titled ‘have your say!’ does not mention anything to do with parking enforcement of any kind. It doesn’t seem to contain any relevant questions relating to the issue of overnight parking, congestion in the car parks, environmental damage or indeed any solutions to above problems. A visitor survey has been developed to gather views from day visitors to Freshwater West. The survey covers elements such as parking, facilities, information, beach safety, drive time, transportation and the reason for their visit. The visitor survey is ongoing and available throughout 2019 in print and digital formats for people to share their experiences of visiting Freshwater West. Printed versions are available at the Freshwater West toilet block, from Café Mor, the RNLI and via our Trust volunteer on-site. English survey: http://bit.ly/FWSurveyEnglish Welsh survey: http://bit.ly/FWSurveyCymraeg We hope that this will help inform the long-term decision making for the site by understanding why people visit and what improvements they would like to see. 4. How was the survey to assess beach usage circulated? For how long was it distributed? How many surveys were completed? Was this an accurate representation of the broad spectrum of beach users? How can the results be accessed? How did the results of the survey facilitate the conclusion that banning overnight parking at FWW was a viable and fair solution? As above, please see response to question 3. 5. Along with the survey was there any direct engagement of trust offices at the beach explaining the proposals. If so same questions as above apply. We have a ranger presence at Freshwater West on a daily basis to monitor the site and engage with the public. For 2019, we also have a volunteer on-site sharing the visitor survey and gathering feedback. 6. How many inner and full Steering Group meetings were there to discuss the results and put forward ideas? What other ideas were considered? Were minutes taken at these meetings and were the meetings made public knowledge? To date we have hosted 2 full and 5 inner steering group meetings, along with email updates and minutes circulated to all representatives. The steering group includes a range of local representatives from public, private and charitable sectors: • The landowners – National Trust, Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority • Other relevant authorities – Ministry of Defence Castlemartin Firing Range, Dyfed Powys Police, Natural Resources Wales • Key organisations and local businesses – RNLI, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company and Outer Reef Surf School Following discussions, the steering group identified road safety, litter, overnight parking and camping, and beach safety as the core issues impacting Freshwater West. Trialling the enforcement option is a targeted action to keep Freshwater West accessible and safe for all visitors. This trial approach was discussed and confirmed with the steering group and the community councils and also shared through the community drop-in day. The final decision sits with the National Trust as the landowner. Other ideas that were discussed by the group in the meetings included the introduction of parking charges or height restriction barriers, but these measures were not actioned at this time. Together we are working in partnership to review sustainable site solutions to tackle the issues. 7. What consultation methods were put in place to garner wider views of the ideas raised within the Steering Group meetings? Following the creation of the steering group, we have consulted with Angle Community Council and Stackpole and Castlemartin Community Council about our work and to hear their views. Representatives from both councils have also been invited to join the steering group. We hosted a drop-in day at Castlemartin Community Café in April to introduce the steering group to local residents, listen to their views and share our trial proposals for 2019. This meeting was widely promoted through the National Trust website and social media channels, including three Facebook posts and two tweets between 2 and 25 April, with a total reach of over 8,000 people. Key stakeholders also shared the event from their digital channels for a wider reach. A promotional poster was created and displayed at key touchpoints on-site at Stackpole and Freshwater West, as well as being distributed to the community councils for sharing. Following the meeting there has been considerable coverage in the local media. We have been as open and transparent about our plans as is reasonably practical. 8. How was the decision to go with the current application actually made? E.g. Was a point system used? We have already explored a number of options and have previously introduced signage, flyers and regular ranger patrols to inform visitors that overnight parking and camping are not permitted and are a breach of our byelaws (a criminal offence). Despite our efforts to raise awareness, this guidance is still not being followed. Trialling the enforcement option is a targeted action to keep Freshwater West accessible and safe for all visitors. By enforcing the car parking restrictions, we are improving access for the majority of people who want to come and enjoy Freshwater West as day visitors, while protecting this special place for the future. This trial approach was discussed and confirmed with the steering group and the community councils and also shared through the community drop-in day. The final decision sits with the National Trust as the landowner. 9. When was the decision to trial overnight enforcement actually made? The trial approach was discussed and confirmed with the steering group at a meeting on 15th January and with the community councils and also shared through the community drop-in day. The final decision sits with the National Trust as the landowner. 10. What was the purpose of the ‘drop in’ session hosted by PCF on the 30th April? We hosted a drop-in day at Castlemartin Community Café in April to introduce the steering group to local residents, listen to their views and share our trial proposals for 2019. This meeting was widely promoted through the National Trust website and social media channels, including three Facebook posts and two tweets between 2 and 25 April, with